Scepter of Saint Sava 1198.
The Abbots of Hilandar have actively used the scepter of Saint Sava in religious ceremonies since the 12th century. Hilandar on Athos (Greece) is the highest concentration of Serbian heritage. Monasteries built in the Middle Ages keep the greatest treasures of Serbian history.
Prof. Zvonko B. Petković
Professor Zvonko B. Petković devoted 30 years to an invaluable project, which resulted in the creation of the ONLY copy of the Scepter of the Byzantine Emperor Alexius III Angel from (1181) 1198. This luxurious staff represented the autonomy of the Hilandar monastery and was a symbol of permission for the independent election of the Abbot. Saint Sava received it as a gift from Emperor Alexius.
Prof. Zvonko B. Petković carried out this project with professional consultations at the highest level. The director of the Frescoes Gallery, Bojan Popović, gave his expert opinion on the credibility, considering that the collection of the Frescoes Museum is formed from copies of heritage. Mr. Popović clarified that the stick is a copy of the current state, with existing damages that have not been corrected. The scepter of Saint Sava, the stick has changed its centuries-old history and differs from its initial appearance. Andrej Vujnović, a retired museum advisor, also gave his expert opinion on the created copy.
Professor Zvonko B. Petković, throughout his career as an applied artist focused on restoration, has developed a distinctive style in creating objects and jewelry inspired by the Orthodox religion. By exploring heritage, he has mastered ancient craftsmanship, crafting exquisite pieces from materials such as metal, ivory, and volcanic stones, as well as olive and apple pits, along with semi-precious and precious stones. His work is characterized by remarkable aesthetics and is modeled after historical artifacts.
Blessing of Abbot Hilandar Monastery
The Abbot of the Hilandar monastery gave his blessing for the production of this work; without it, this copy would simply be a reproduction. The scepter he created is intended for active use at Hilandar and will rest in the hand of the Abbot. This ensures that the original will be preserved for future generations. Once it is delivered to Hilandar, it will no longer be touched by a woman's hand, as access to this monastery complex is forbidden for women.
